Although the USB Type-C™ specification was released about the same time as the USB 3.1 specification, the two specifications are distinct from each other. Type-C introduced a new cable and some enhanced USB capabilities. USB 3.1 (also referred to as 3.1 Gen 2) introduces the 10 Gbps transfer speed.

USB Type-C is compatible with USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 devices. Type-C offers a new naming conventions for some USB elements.

Naming Conventions

The well known names of Host and Device have been replaced in the USB Type-C specifications with Downstream Facing Port (DFP) and Upstream Facing Port (UFP). Type-C provides the ability for the roles of the elements to change.

Type-C New Features

Reversible Cable

Type-C USB defines a cable with 24 pins. The symmetrical connectors on each end of the cables are identical. Type-C cables can be easily plugged into a DFP or a UFP without the user having to adjust the orientation of the plug. Type-C systems are designed to work seamlessly regardless of which end of the cable is plugged into a device, and whether or not the cable is oriented correctly (i.e. there is no wrong way to plug in a Type-C cable)

See the Type-C Cables page for more details of how the system detects and adjusts for cable orientation.

Backward Compatibility with previous USB protocols

Type-C cabling contains the four USB 2.0 signals as well as the additional signals required to implement USB 3.0 and 3.1. USB 2.0 devices can be connected to Type-C cables and work as is. The additional capabilities and signals of Type-C cables will go unused. The Type-C specification provides for three types of cables:

Passive

Electronically Marked Cable Assembly (EMCA)

Managed Active Powered Cable

Passive Type-C cables are required to carry USB 2.0 signals and be capable of supplying 60 W of power.

Alternate Mode of Operation

Alternate Mode allows third party protocols to be transmitted over the USB Type-C cable. This mode is negotiated on a port by port basis using the Power Delivery Protocol. See the Alternate Mode page for details on re-configuring Type-C pins.

Enhanced Power Delivery Negotiation

USB Power Delivery allows power configuration of a USB connection to be dynamically modified. The default 5 V VBUS can be modified up to 20 V. The maximum power delivered by a port can also be modified up to 100 W (with an appropriate Electronically Marked Type-CTM cable). See the Power Delivery Protocol page for details on the configurable power delivery options of USB.

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